The last of the Clark Lakes and the Sierra Crest. Banner and Ritter (right) are on the other side of the crest. The trail crosses the Sierra Crest at altitude of about 9920 ft, and enters the San Joaquin River watershed.
San Joaquin River at the Thousand Island Lake outlet. After leaving the Sierra Crest, the trail loses altitude to meet the Pacific Crest Trail coming from Agnew Meadows, then climbs up again to reach the east end of the lake. Mt. Ritter (left) is partially hidden behind Banner Peak. Mt. Davis is to the right of the Glacier Pass (middle).
Thousand Island Lake outlet. Our trail meets John Muir Trail here. We will continue west along the lake that extends almost a mile and a half in that direction.
Our goal, Banner Peak (12945 ft) from the outlet.
Heading towards the far (west) end of the lake.
Trail along the lake.
Banner Peak over a crescent-shaped beach at the lake.
Approaching our camp site above the west bank of the lake.
A view of pinnacles on Koip Crest from our camp site. It took us 5.5 hours to reach the camp site on a terrace above the lake. Mosquito protection is needed this year. Last year at this time, mosquitos had already disappeared.
